The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-05
Mission of the Labor Party.

inent in the various labor movements in
New York of late has been John McMackin,
who has generally been looked upon, to
judge from his treatment by the press, as an
honest, narrow-minded man. During
Henry Georges campaign for the Mayor
atty of New York he was generally
chairman at public meetings, and a fire.
quent and effective speaker in the cause of
that candidate. He may fairly be CON
sidered to rank next after George and Nc
Glynn in the councils of the United Labor
party, and as chairman of its State Com
mittee is entitled to speak for it, For this
reason great interest attaches to the follow
ing extract from a letter alleged to have
been written by him to a gentleman at
Syracuse;
Would say confidentially to you that our
main object is to defeat Grover Cleveland
and the Democratic party in 1883. We
know that you are an enemy of his. We
think ne is placing too many foreigners in
office, and, consequently, if we can draw
enough votes from the Democratic party in
New York State we can defeat Cleveland
in 1888.
The editor of the Courier states that the
letter has every appearance of being genu-
inc, and was written for the purpose of OBJ
tanning the aid of the gentleman to whom
it was addressed in organizing the United
Labor party in Onondaga county.
Mr.. George, when questioned in regard to
the letter, denied its authenticity, saving
McMackin could not have written it. 1t is
hardly probable that the letter would have
been written without Mr.. Georges knowl-
edge; but under the circumstances a bare
deni& is not enough. To acknowledge its
genuineness would have been political sui
eide, and man capable of entering con-
spiracy of the kind disclosed by the letter
would not hesitate to lie in the hope of
breaking the force of its discovery.
If the letter should prove to be genuine,
it will be another proof of the desperate
means to which the party ousted from office
by Mr.. Clevelands election will resort, to
regain power. Backed by the great money
power of the classes who have grown rich
by the results of the war, and whose ad-
vantages over the rest of the community
in the accumulation of wealth are de-
pendent upon the maintenaace of its
policy, that party is willing to lend its aid
in the propagation of any political heresy
which promises present success to itself, no
matter if Hereafter it may threatea the
prosperity and safety of the Republic.
The present attempt to seduce working
men from their allegiance to the Democratic
party looks like repetition of the Butler
campaign of 1884. Then, without any good
reason, formidable and almost successful
revolt was led by great but unscrupulous
politician, supported by powerful news.
paper, which had for years before made
him the butt Of the most savage abuse.
Such miracles can the money power work
Democrats in general did not then, and dc
now believe that revolt was actuated by a
sense of duty. or was made with the hope
of direct success.
Democratic newspapers in New York
have recently spoken of the movement led
by Mr.. George as a diversion intended to
insure Republican success. Most people
have not taken this charge in the sense that
corrupt motives in the grossest sense ac-
tuated its leaders, nor does the McMackin
/ letter do more than give ground for infer
ence that such is the fact, but should it be
established as authentic it will show that
they are carrying on their campaign under
false pretenses, pretending to high and
pure purposes when their real ends were low
and mean. 1t should be another warning
TO worxingmen that when they set them
selves as class apart from the rest of their
countrymen, becoming a balance weight
between two great parties, they are liable
TO be bought as were slaves in former DAYS.
and their services delivered without their
knowledge.